the edge of the fiscal cliff looming larger as the clock ticks toward the deadline on january 1st. negotiators are trying to hammer out a deal over tax hikes and spending cuts searching for common ground. amid all the back and forth there are signing of a compromise. steve centanni is live in washington. are the two sides any closer together? >> reporter: there are two important signs today. speaker, house speaker john boehner met with president obama at the white house today. we don't know how long they met or exactly what they talked about, but the white house says lines of communication are open and face-to-face meeting is on important. at the same time republicans say they will accept the demands for higher taxes on the wealthy if it goes along with spending cuts entitlements like medicare and social security. listen.... >> a lot of people are putting forth a theory. i think it has merit where you give the president 2% increase he is talking about on the top 2 percent. i am beginning to believe that is the best route for us to take. >> reporter: many other republicans, of cours